How to Play Indian Poker

Indian poker is kind of silly childish game that, in fact, has nothing to do with poker. However, it is quite original and requires unique tactical approach, uncommon for other games. But above all it is very amusing and helps to release tension.

In Indian Poker, after all players place their antes, one single card is dealt face-down to each player. Players can not look at their cards during the whole game. What they do is not less than placing their cards on their foreheads face-out, so each player can see cards of all other players at the table, but his own one. Sitting like this, with a card on the forehead, players play a betting round, after which they take their cards and look at them. The player with the highest card wins. If two players have equal cards and these are the highest cards at the table, they can either share the pot or use suit as a tie-breaker, whatever is specified by the dealer in the beginning of the game.

Indian poker can also be played in Guts format, so, instead of betting, players declare in or out, and those who declared out leave the game, and those who declared in compare their cards. The player who has the highest card among In players, wins the pot. Other players, who declared in, but lost, match the pot, viz., each one puts an amount equal to the pot won by the winner to form a new pot. If only one player declares in, he takes the pot, and all players ante again to start a new game.

A scene with people sitting with cards on their forehead may seem very strange to someone who is not familiar with the game, so if you are afraid to look ridiculous, you should only play Indian Poker only in intimate ambience. It is also important to assure that there are no reflective surfaces in the room. Otherwise players will be able to see their own cards in the reflection.